Fresh Courage Take

Come to Zion #3

by Dean Hughes

The United States turned a blind eye when the Mormons were driven from Missouri to Illinois and finally out of the country altogether. How can the government—and Brigham Young—now be asking the Mormons to come up with 500 able-bodied soldiers to assist in the war with Mexico? And how can Will Lewis be asked to join the Mormon Battalion when it means leaving Liz and their two little boys on their own in the wilderness? How many sacrifices will be required in order for the Saints to create Zion?

And in modern-day Nauvoo, Jeff and Abby Lewis are facing challenges of their own. Juggling family priorities, professional responsibilities, and Church callings becomes and almost impossible feat. It is clear that building Zion in the latter days will require sacrifices, just as it did in the time of Jeff's ancestors.

In this concluding volume of the Come to Zion trilogy, beloved novelist Dean Hughes provides a unique perspective on the struggles and sacrifices—and ultimate joy—of faithful Saints in any generation.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Lds, Religion, Faith

422 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2014

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I'm happy to be a part of reviewing this final installment of the Come to Zion series by Dean Hughes. I've reviewed both of the previous books in this series and it's always satisfying to come to the end of a series. Closure, that's what it is.

I first need to say that Dean Hughes is such a gifted writer. He is a man who knows his craft. Historical Fiction is what he does best and when you read a Dean Hughes book, you know that the research has been done. You can feel it. At the end of this book Dean Hughes says that he hopes there are still people out there that love Historical Fiction over the ever popular Fantasy genre that is exploding right now. Well, yes. There is at least one girl out here that loves Historical Fiction over Fantasy. (although I do love some fantasy too!)

"Fresh Courage Take" is an LDS Historical Fiction. It follows the movements of the Mormon pioneers- driven from their homes in Illinois to the Salt Lake Valley. Told in alternating story lines, we also follow a modern day couple through daily challenges of life. The Mormon pioneer is a story well told in the LDS historical fiction genre. I've read so many variations of this sort of book so it wasn't anything new or exciting, but it was solid. Following the character, Will, through his march with the Mormon Battalion was heart breaking. The struggles and suffering those men endured! I cannot even fathom walking that far.

When reading books such as this, one thing I always come away with is gratitude. The sacrifice and courage of those who have gone before is overwhelming. I have what I have today because of those who have gone before me. It is both humbling and inspiring.

[Karen Danielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always amazed and grateful to be descendants of some of the bravest and most faithful people on the planet. I don’t know how they did what they did but I appreciate them.

[Dail Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable continuation of the trilogy. I wish there were a fourth book to continue the history.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the books in this series have been inspiring and delightful to read. Fresh Courage Take is an incredible finish to the series. Dean Hughes is a master of historical fiction and in this series he has interwoven present day characters of Abby and Jeff with the stories of their ancestors Will and Liz. The details he incorporates make the books come to life. I feel such a deep respect for the pioneers who settled this great land--this marvelous state of Utah in which I now reside.

Fresh Courage Take brings the individuality of the pioneer's struggle to the forefront. The deadly march of the Mormon Battalion became real to me in a way that I had never appreciated before. I enjoyed talking with my children about the sacrifice that early settlers went through to find religious freedom and their own land to own. We talked about how soldiers marching across the California desert for the Mexican war sucked on pebbles to wet their mouth and help them keep going--walking thirty miles in two days with little more than a liter of muddy water to drink!

I'm fascinated by the stories from my heritage and grateful that such a talented writer as Dean Hughes created this series.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good final book in the series that covers a lot of ground from leaving Nauvoo, getting to Council Bluffs, the Mormon Battalion's march, and then arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, as well as the parallel modern day story of Abby and Jeff and their decisions and faithfulness in Nauvoo. Again, I appreciated the insights and honesty in the characters and the great examples and faithfulness they exhibited through their trials and decisions.

I have loved the titles of theses books - this one from Come, Come Ye Saints reminds us to take courage and keep one foot moving after the other. I learned the most from the recounting of the events surrounding the Mormon Battalion and think this message is particularly applicable.

I also love the theme of Zion throughout the books - Come to Zion. And the very last lines of this final book reiterates that Zion is not a place, like the early saints thought for so long, but it is a way of living wherever we are. We are each invited to come to and build Zion!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"What more did he need than a good family, good friends, and a clear sense that he understood what mortality expected of him (p. 21)?"

"'You were a mom when I really needed one.'
'It's the only thing I know how to do, deary (p. 23).'"

"A good many are still leaving the city, chasing after some of these false prophets. We need you young people to stay strong and stalwart (p. 42)."

"Liz wanted her little boys to be happy and healthy, not afraid, and she wanted them to love the gospel as much as she did....she knew she and Will were happier here than they would have been had they stayed in England and always wondered about Zion. But she longed for peace and hoped that she wouldn't always be afraid (p. 49)."

"Liz thought of Will, always trying to do the right thing, always thinking the best of people, even offering help to a man who had tried to kill him (p. 56)."

"Will felt the joy of seeing the temple so close to completion, but he hated to think that after all his efforts to help with the construction, the beautiful place would soon be abandoned (p. 83)."

"There was really no choice. Things would only get worse if the Saints tried to stay (p. 85)."

"'I think I'd rather walk across the plains than wait for some guy to notice that I'm alive (p. 100).'"

"'That's what always happens. We grow up picturing out lives, thinking we have a lot of say in the matter--and we do have some--but something happens. The test in life is to deal with whatever comes (p. 102).'"

"'But that's the point. We come to mortality for experience, and if everything went the way we wanted it to go, we wouldn't learn much of anything. It's always been like that. Grandma and Grandpa got kicked out of their home and had to cross the plains. We get knocked off our plan A, and then we cross whatever plains God puts before us. But, like I said, I'm going to try not to feel sorry for myself anymore (p. 103).'"

"'I want to go home.'
'I know. But we'll have a new house...one day. We have to wait just a little (p. 114).'"

"'I've never seen the temple from this side of the river,' Will said. 'I swear it's the finest-looking building in the world (p. 115).'"

"'We did our best. God wouldn't give the victory to those who hate us. He has a new place for us, and it's going to be better (p. 115).'"

"'What we lost is the building itself--and our houses. What we built, we're taking with us (p. 116).'"

"'Lord, we are on Thy mission. Thou knowest what we need. Show us which direction to take (p. 132).'"

"They had prayed so hard to survive the rain and the mud, and the Lord had been there with them. Their test was anything but over, but they knew they had continued on when they were tempted to give up. Liz couldn't hold her tears back, and she saw that the other sisters were wiping their eyes too. And then Liz heard a man's voice--A voice she knew. 'Sisters, I've written a new hymn...It's called, 'All is well.' (p. 148).'"

"Peace could come to a mother after a child was lost. She had received that peace. But she also knew that discouragement could not be thrust aside by a few pretty words. She knew William Clayton. He sometimes became resentful of all that Church leaders asked of him....But the hymn called upon the Saints--and Brother Clayton--to take courage, to think of their larger purpose and not focus so much on current difficulties. On this mild night, Liz could do that. She hoped she could when harder days came again (p. 149)."

"'The Lord asks hard things sometimes, but when you answer His call, He blesses you. That's all I can tell you (p. 163).'"

"'Brethren, it's not thought, and it's not talk, that is needed. It's faith. It's humility. And it's courage. Now let me see how many hands will go up--without another moment's thought (p. 164).'"

"'Last night, in the dark, I tol' meself, Jesse, do na' think on all the days ahead. It will kill ye if you do. On'y think about this day, right now. Make it through this 'un. Then worry 'bout tomorrow, tomorrow (p. 188).'"

"'It's not about advice. It's just looking after them, helping them figure out each decision they have to make--as it comes....just give her emotional support. And as questions occur, use the Lord's storehouse--all the resources of the members. There are people who know about everything that will come up--or know where to go to get the answers (p. 238).'"

"'You're not trained soldiers, and you question me as though you never learned the military way of things, but when I give a command, you throw your shoulders into it. I've never met better behaved men (p. 249).'"

"'The Lord will bless you, Charley. You answered a prophet's call, and you'll be blessed for it (p. 289).'"

"He was like the foam that the waves tossed about: powerless, even insignificant. But God cared about him all the same. He had kept him going and brought him to this place, and that gave Will hope that God would also carry him back to Liz and his family. He didn't know whether they had survived the winter, but it was consoling to trust that God knew--and God cared (p. 309)."

"'We still have hard times ahead of us. But there were times in the desert when nothing else was real except God and me--and you men around me--and I turned to the Lord in ways that I had never thought I could. That's what I mean when I say I've changed. I trust God, and I know all of you trust Him too. The Church needs men--and women like Sister Hunter and Sister Coray--who will keep goin' in the hard days ahead (p. 319).'"

"'Will anything be better this time? Out in the desert we saw men help each other. But it's na' so easy when a man tries to make his way in the world--an' wants to make thin's nice for his own family. He thinks of himsel' first when it comes to that. I question when I think on that, if Zion can e'er be what we say it is. I do na' know if we're good 'nough to live in that way (p. 375).'"

"'We've passed through hard things before, and we'll make it again. And each time we're a little better for the test we've passed. Now put your arm around my shoulder and I'll try to take some weight off that bad foot. We need to set out (p. 376).'"

"'Sometimes I don't feel like I fit in very well with Church members, but when we're out taking care of people, I don't worry about that (p. 386).'"

"'I think I understand better now what Zion meant to you. And I know how hard you worked to make it happen. I just want you to know that we haven't given up on the idea. The Church is spread out now, and Zion's kind of everywhere, but it's not lost (p. 389).'"

"'We'll make a good life here, Liz. It doesn't seem possible right now, but this will be a city. This will be the Zion we thought we would have in Illinois. I honestly believe a day will come when this will be one of the great cities of the world. People will come to us to learn how a people ought to live. We'll also send missionaries out from here (p. 413).'"

"Zion wasn't a place. It was a way of living. He hoped his children, and their children, would always understand that (p. 414)."

"What I hope is that this book has shown what the soldiers--and, importantly, the four women--accomplished in holding out to the end. In many ways, the great test of life is to find out whether we can keep putting one foot ahead of the other in the same way that the Battalion marchers did. Working every day, raising children, preparing our Sunday School lessons, being true home teachers and visiting teachers--those are the markers of whether we carry on the traditions of the early members. If we can also grasp the big picture and keep track of the purpose of our mortality, we have a chance to rise about the mere level of drudgery, but we must start with the discipline to accept our callings and then work to fulfill them. Some things about our lives are easier now, but other aspects of twenty-first century life are more difficult. I wish we would stop talking about the perfection of the pioneers and model ourselves on the tenacity of those who stuck it out. Many failed back then, and many fail now, but I want to think of one who keeps walking the walk (p. 416)."

[Rex Cluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy has the goal of demonstrating that the pioneers were ordinary people working through extraordinary circumstances to create a Zion society, a society based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ which is to love God and to love one another. They dreamed of coming to a place where love abounds and people work together to the benefit of all. What they found were harsh conditions requiring enormous work effort to scratch out a living against unfriendly, hostile neighbors. What they discovered was that Zion was not a place but an attitude toward life itself. They had to become a Zion people before they could have a Zion place. This pioneer story was juxtaposed against modern descendants of those pioneers who were still trying to find and create a Zion society. The pioneers gave all to the cause of finding Zion and their modern counterparts also have to learn that it requires a sacrifice of all they have to offer to create a Zion society. Only when all of the people are converted to the concept and have love in their hearts for one another, can they then have the spirit promised in a Zion society. This was a good study on the subject of finding Zion, or as the title states it, coming to Zion. This is a call to all of us, may we put forth the effort to become a Zion society, may we love God first and love each other second and as we do so, we will share that attitude with all of our neighbors, inviting them to Come to Zion as well.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing to read and think about all the hardships the pioneers had. I did not know that much about the Mormon Battilon so that really had my interest. How those men walked through weather, sand and desert to get to the coast was unreal. Then they had little clothing left and most men did not have boots. When they were free from the army, there were a few who headed out for the Salt Lake Valley and that trip took much of their strength also. I kept telling myself how thankful I was to not have been a pioneer but in some ways I am. I take one day at a time and see where life takes me. You do what you have to do. But an amazing story and I really enjoyed it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last in the series! I was surprised by how hard the Mormon Battalion March was, I never really thought about it more than knowing it was a long March and they never fought. But, grateful to learn more about those men and women and all they sacrificed. The modern story was not as good in this book and the whole thing seemed rushed to get to the conclusion. But I really enjoyed the series and I appreciate the words written that they were people just like us, struggling to live their lives as we are.

[Jody Kyburz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the ending was satisfying and continued the parallel. Don't we all parallel each other in some ways? We're all human.

I had an institute teacher who despised "fictionalized church history." I love reading informational text as well, but fiction writers such as Dean Hughes and Gerald Lund certainly do a ton of research! I think fictionalized church history connects all of us first generation members to the pioneers and brings the warm fuzzies and tears. It definitely has a place!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live for historical fiction, especially about the early settlers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Most of my ancestors were pioneers so any information I can gather about what life must have been like for them is always interesting for me. This was a great series! Well done to the author!

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to listen to the next installment in this series! It's always interesting to see how the lives of both families parallel in different time periods as well as how they don't. I kept wanting to know more about what happened with the family in our time and felt like way more was said about the pioneer family, but both were interesting.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the 3rd and final book in the “Come Unto Zion Series. It covers the Nauvoo Exodus to the Salt Lake Valley migration, with a detailed account of The Mormon Battalion. Fictional characters were blended in with real characters. The entire story was very believable. I like this author a lot.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like Dean Hughes. This wasn't my favorite series of his, but it was still very good. I learned a lot about the Mormon Battalion and the trek west. His characters are always easy to relate to.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I have read this series I have place my own ancestors who lived in Nauvoo and were members of the Mormon Battalion in their place. I honor their courage and dedication to their religion (and mine).

[Betty Ann Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The struggles of the early Mormon pioneers and the Mormon battalion and the wives of those men are brought to life. It definitely lets me think of my trials and how different they are and how I need to put God first in my life.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great historical and spiritual novel. Primarily deals with the Mormon Battalion and the early migration of LDS members to Utah. Though it seems to me there could easily be another installment to this story, apparently it's a trilogy, and the ending is satisfactory.

[Sherry Stott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent 3rd book of historical fiction. Great description of the lived experiences of the Saints crossing the plains and the experiences of the Mormon Battalion. It seems a little "rushed" at the end to complete the story.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the series was good but thinking the author left it the way it did to maybe one day create another series. Took me a while to read it as didn't draw me into the characters. A good Sunday read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this final book in the series. Dean Hughes always weaves great characters into compelling storylines. I was actually a little surprised by the modern day couples ending. It was a satisfying end.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this last book in the series, I thought it was very well written and a pleasure to read.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 5 out of 5]

11.2017 loved this whole series

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it

[Annette Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series but it felt really rushed at the end. Still made me love and appreciate the sacrifices made by the pioneers.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh- I thought I wrote this review ages ago when I finished this book. Glad it's over. Enough of Dean Hughes for a while.

[Angieluila Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am of the same opinion with this one. Great story. I really liked it. If I read it again I will skip through.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit from this last installment of the Come to Zion series, especially about the Mormon Battalion.

[Thomas C.Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

You most certainly to grow to love the characters.

One thing that I love about these books is that they don't dwell only on the hardships. They also dwell on the joy.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the stories. I liked that the characters felt they could make it through anything if they had each other. That is a good reminder of what is really important in life.

[Anna Ploeger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book of the series was the best but this gave a satisfying ending that left the door open for more. This series has made me want to read The Work and the Glory series even more.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!